_In the second_ (_No._ 48) _a group of peasants sits and stands about under a tree in a meadow_, _in which cattle and goats wander._ _In the background is a farmhouse._
These tapestries after Teniers are typical of his illustrations of life among the peasants and of his decorative and romantic yet realistic landscapes. They are in weaving and color of the best quality of examples of this type.
_Wool and Silk._ H. 10 _ft._ 4 _in._ W. 7 _ft._ 6 _in._ ]
PEASANTS IN A LANDSCAPE: _A group of peasants has stopped by the wayside in a mountainous landscape. Above is a shield bearing the inscription "Iocatur in Parvis sorts ut cum Magna Mercede Fallat."_
[Sidenote: Formerly in the Collection of Sir John Ramsay.]
The cartoon is after Teniers. The Mortlake renditions of these cartoons, which were borrowed from Flanders, have a clarity and sharpness that give them marked distinction. The towering mountain landscape is really impressive.
[Sidenote: Lent by _Frank Partridge, Inc._]
The rendition of the water is unusually realistic without any loss of decorative interest. The translation of water into a woven design is one of the most difficult problems of the craft. It has been given many solutions, of which this is the most naturalistic.
_Wool and Silk._ H. 10 _ft._ W. 8 _ft._ 8 _in._ ]
HERMES AND THE SHEPHERD: _Hermes has taken the Shepherd's pipe, leaving the caduceus on the ground, and is attempting to play. They are in a wood with large flowers in the foreground. In the background there is a glimpse of a hilly landscape and a formal garden with fountains. Wide floral border._
[Sidenote: Lent by _Mrs. James Creelman_.]
The piece is one of a set of five verdures, most of which have hunting scenes. While there is no signature, and there are no records on them, the character of the foliage and of the floreation makes it almost certain that these are of Beauvais manufacture. While in some details they resemble contemporary Aubusson tapestries, the quality of the color is rather different.
They are a particularly deep and quiet type of verdure, an excellent background for fine furnishings. The quality of the greens is uncommonly fine.
_Wool and Silk._ H. 10 _ft._ 9 _in._ W. 13 _ft._ 3 _in._ ]